I have been reading and looking into this subject heavily.

Its a nice way to network and learn, however many of them are very heavily sales based.

PM me if you want more insight, I've dug into taxes pretty heavily over the last couple years.

Sometimes the mls can skew heavily retail, and these avenues contain more investment grade stuff!

The other does GREAT marketing here on BP, Youtube and Instagram but is beyond horrible as a PM.I found an agent that owns rentals and works with OOS Investors and listened to him when it came to picking the right PM and I still vetted them heavily.  

I started contacting real estate agents in Cleveland and Indianapolis but was told that these markets are heavily saturated with investors trying to do the same thing as me and it would be almost impossible to find a deal even though I have an all in budget of $150K cash to start off with.

As a local investor in San Diego myself who used to invest in the Midwest...the low prices can be very enticing but make sure you really know the market first and what you are getting into before pulling the trigger...when you are out of state you are at a disadvantage as properties can differ quite heavily from block to block. 

You will get your EDM back.Depending on the state purchasing occupied properties is not a bad option, but it heavily depends on the state.

Burkhalter Plantation is as well, actually pretty heavily there.

It is frustrating dealing with the calls because so many are annoyed by the letters (my area is heavily marketed) but it only takes a few good callers to make it worth it at the end of the day.